Can Killmonger #1-5 be canon?

[Col_Fury]

The mini takes place before Killmonger’s first appearance in JA2 6 (September 1973).

Wilson Fisk is Kingpin of New York. He’s already Kingpin in his first appearance, ASM 50 (July 1967), so that’s fine.

Black Widow is in her classic look and is with SHIELD. Nick Fury recruited her in A 38 (March 1967), and she got her classic look in ASM 86 (July 1970), so that’s fine.

Bullseye is working for the Kingpin. Bullseye was hired to kill the Kingpin in DD 171, but Kingpin made him a better offer in DD 172 (June-July 1981), so that’s… uh oh.

This mini also references Rise of the Black Panther #1-6, which itself can’t fit with established canon. That’s not a huge problem, though. We could always squint and say this mini references something that Rise was already referencing (or whatever). But Bullseye working for Kingpin here is a real problem. Hell, Killmonger DIES in JA2 17 (September 1975), which is six years publication-wise before Bullseye starts working for Kingpin.

Am I missing anything? This can’t fit, can it?

[zilch]

First Bulls-Eye?

-z

[loki]

The mini takes place before Killmonger’s first appearance in JA2 6 (September 1973).

Bullseye is working for the Kingpin. Bullseye was hired to kill the Kingpin in DD 171, but Kingpin made him a better offer in DD 172 (June-July 1981), so that’s… uh oh.

Bullseye and Kingpin clearly know, or know of, one another in DD 171/172, so is there any reason why they couldn't have worked together earlier? Specialists like Bullseye would join and leave Kingpin's payroll all the time, especially when we add in Kingpin having given up control of the mobs prior to DD 171.

This mini also references Rise of the Black Panther #1-6, which itself can’t fit with established canon. That’s not a huge problem, though. We could always squint and say this mini references something that Rise was already referencing (or whatever).

Perhaps mostly similar events occured in 616, minus the continuity-busting ones? Frankly, the referencing doesn't surprise me - writers frequently fail to realise what is and isn't canon, and thus unwittingly start dragging stuff previously considered non-canonical into the mainstream timeline (as opposed to those who do realise something isn't intended to be canon, but then choose to consciously change this).

But Bullseye working for Kingpin here is a real problem. Hell, Killmonger DIES in JA2 17 (September 1975), which is six years publication-wise before Bullseye starts working for Kingpin.

Six years before the first time we saw him working for Kingpin, but like I said, any reason he couldn't have worked for him previously?

[Col_Fury]

I suppose it's possible. That would mean Bullseye was working for the Kingpin before his first published appearance.

Looking at Bullseye's chronology, I just now noticed that the MCP is missing Bullseye's flashback in DD 131, where he's a soldier in Vietnam then a mercenary in Africa.

Anyway, this mini would have to happen somewhere between comics from 1970 (ASM 86) and 1973 (JA2 6). That would mean one of Bullseye's first jobs after returning from Africa would be working for Kingpin, right?

[dimadick]

DD 171 is part of Kingpin's return to prominence in the early 1980s. He is returning to a life of crime because his former associates threatened the life of Vanessa Fisk (his wife), and he wants revenge.

His previous storyline in ASM 195-197 (August- October, 1979) has Kingpin recovering his health after a period suffering from amnesia, a failed assassination attempt by Silvermane, and a lengthy stay in a hospital. In ASM 197, Kingpin defeats Spider-Man in a physical fight, but Vanessa Fisk (Kingpin's wife) prevents him from killing the unconscious Spidey and forces her husband into retirement from crime.

Kingpin's previous storyline was in ASM 163-164 (December, 1976-January, 1977). Kingpin kidnaps Spider-Man and tries to drain Spidey's life-force with a machine. He wants to feed the life-force to his comatose son Richard Fisk, in hopes of reviving him. Following a rather complicated plot, the issue concludes with Kingpin presumed dead, Richard rejuvenated, and Vanessa Fisk apparently taking over Kingpin's gang. She spares Spidey's life, but warns him to never cross her path again.

Kingpin previously appeared in a subplot of ASM 159 (August, 1976). He has hired the Tinkered to repair Spider-Man's automobile, the Spider-Mobile. But ensures that Tinkered adds a number of modifications to the vehicle. This sets up the plot of ASM 160, where Kingpin does not actually appear.

Kingpin previously appeared in ASM 154 (March, 1976). He is the mysterious benefactor who helps the Sandman to escape prison, and then gives him a mission.

Kingpin's previous storyline was in CA 145-148 (January-April, 1972). The Kingpin returns after a period of being catatonic and confined in an asylum. He takes over a faction of HYDRA, while his son Richard Fisk leads a rival faction. The storyline ends when both Fisks realize that they were pawns of the Red Skull, who used them in an attempt to unite HYDRA under his command.

Kingpin's previous storyline was in ASM 83-85 (April-June, 1970). The Kingpin has been in hiding since escaping prison, and his criminal organization is leaderless. The mysterious villain Schemer (actually Richard Fisk), plots to take over Kingpin's share of organized crime. Following a gang war between father and son, the Kingpin is shocked to realize that his enemy is his own missing son. Andeven more shocked that his beloved son seems to hate him. The shock leaves the Kingpin catatonic and neither his family, nor Spider-Man are able to help him recover.

Kingpin's previous storyline was in ASM 68-70 (January-March, 1969). The storyline introduces Vanessa Fisk, and reveals that the Kingpin is not scared of any foe in the world... but he is scared of his own wife. At the end of the storyline, Kingoin is surrounded by the police. Vanessa picks him up with her car, and they jointly escape with the getaway vehicle. Kingpin supposedly goes into hiding after that.

Kingpin's previous storyline was in ASM 59-61 (April-June, 1968). Kingpin's uses the alias "Brainwasher" and uses an employee called Mary-Jane Watson in a scheme to place New York City's "top officials" under his control.Towards the end of the storyline,Kingpin has kidnapped George and Gwen Stacy and uses them as bait to lure Spider-Man to a trap. Norman Osborn helps Spidey to rescue Gwen, but Kingpin steals Norman's private helicopter and escapes. Due to Norman killing the scientist who provided Kingpin with the mind-control devices, Kingpin supposedly no longer has access to the technology.

Kingpin's previous storyline is in ASM 50-52 (July-September, 1967). The Kingpin uses Spider-Man's temporary retirement to organize a meeting of New York City's crime bosses and to unite everyone under his command. It is mentioned that Kingpin has been active for years, but that he "likes to stay in the background" and uses minions to represent him. Kingpin master-plan is (in his words): "The underworld will now be run like a business and the Chairman of the Board will be the Kingpin!" The story concludes with Kingpin's men successfully eliminating Frederick Foswell, but failing to assassinate J. Jonah Jameson. Frederick sacrificed his life to save Jameson, but the story is otherwise open-ended.

Any idea where to fit the Killmonger stories in between Kingpin's rather turbulent career?

[Midnighter]

I think it fits better after Captain America 145-148, when Kingpin is not cathatonic and in charge of the underworld.